African violet plant named `Monet`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of African violet named `Monet`, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized by its single violet-shaped, bi-colored flowers with unique markings of large white centers contrasting with the purplish blue petals; strong, upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form a compact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to heart-shaped leaves; profuse flowering; vigorous and compact growth habit; flowering 9-10 weeks after potting, and by its long lasting and non-dropping flowers.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of Africanviolet plant, botanically known as Saintpaulia ionantha, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name `Monet`.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation 1065/37 and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. The new cultivar was originated from a cross made byme in the controlled breeding program in Haffen, Federal Republic ofGermany. The female, or seed parent was a cultivar designated 735. Themale, or pollen parent was a cultivar designated 1065.

`Monet` was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant withinthe progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in Haffen,West Germany. A sexual reproduction of the new cultivar by leafcuttings, as performed by me at Haffen, West Germany, has demonstratedthat the combination of chracteristics as herein disclosed for the newcultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

`Monet` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Thefollowing observations, measurements and values describe the newcultivar as grown in Haffen, West Germany and Nashville, Tenn. undergreenhouse conditions which closely approximate those generally used incommercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of `Monet`, which in combination distinguishthis African violet as a new and distinct cultivar:

1) Strong, upright flower stems curving slightly toward the center.

2) Single violet-shaped bi-colored flowers with large white centers andpurplish blue petals.

3) Profuse flowering.

4) Each plant carries 10-12 and more upright flower stems each of whichcarries 12-15 and more flowers.

5) Long lasting, non-dropping flowers.

6) Vigorous and compact grower.

7) Plant saleable 9 to 10 weeks after potting.

8) Seed capsules push slightly through.

9) Medium green, heart-shaped leaves.

10) After maturity the flowers dry off, and remain on the pedunclewithout becoming infected by botrytis.

The new cultivar is most similar to `Van Gogh`, for which a U.S. plantpatent is also in the process of being applied for. Both cultivars havethe same unique bi-colored designs on the blossoms with a large whitecenter and another color on the petals. However, `Van Gogh` has darklilac petals whereas `Monet` has purplish blue and somewhat smallerpetals.

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows a typical specimenplant of the new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values were taken undernatural sunlight conditions at approximately 12 p.m. in Nashville, Tenn.

Botanical classification: Saintpaulia ionantha, Ramat., c.v. Monet.

Parentage:

Male parent.--1065.

Female parent.--735.

Propagation: The new cultivar holds its distinguishing characteristicsthrough successive propagations by leaf cuttings.

Plant: From 8 cm to 10 cm tall when grown in pots, and 24-28 cm indiameter when fully grown.

Leaves.--General form: Oval to heart-shaped. Diameter: 60-70 mm wide and70-80 mm long. Texture: Velvety. Aspect: Slightly serrated, hairy,slightly shiny. Veins: Upperside; visible: underside: well pronounced,light green, shiny. Color (upperside): Yellow-green group 147 A. Color(underside): Greyed-green group 194 D with occasional touches ofGreyed-purple group 186 C to D. Petiole: Strong, light green, hairy.

Flowers.--Buds: Bell-shaped, greenish and purplish blue, 5-7 mm justbefore opening. Sepals: Five (5). Color: Green with purplish browntouch. Calyx: Shape: Funnel-shaped. Aspect: Spear-shaped, hairy.Peduncle: Character: Strong upright, hairy. Color: Green, occasionallybrownish touch.

Individual flowers.--Size: 35-40 mm. Shape: Single violet-shaped withslightly wavy petal tips. Color (upperside): White center with petalsbeing between violet group 88 B and violet-blue 89 C. Under coolertemperatures and more intensive lighting, the purplish blue tends tointensify. Color (underside): White center with violet group 88 B to Con petals. Borne: Each flower stem carries 12-15 and more flowers onstrong, upright peduncles that are free standing above the leaves,thereby forming a compact bouquet. Flowering habit: Flowers 9-10 weeksafter potting.

Reproductive organs.--Stamens: Two (2). Anthers: 2 composed of 4 anthercells, seed capsules push slightly through. Filaments: Yellowish white,3-4 mm long. Pollen color: Yellow group 7 A. Styles: 7-8 mm long,purplish blue, base of ovary light green and hairy.

Roots.--Normally developed, white when young, turning slightly brownishwhen older.

Disease resistance: Up to date. `Monet` has shown very good resistanceto all major violet diseases.

General observations:

`Monet` is an attractive cultivar due to its bi-colored flowers whichhave unique markings of large white centers contrasting with purplishblue petals. The amount of purplish blue spread may vary just slightlyfrom one blossom to another. A tight bouquet of flowers free standingabove the leaves develops 9-10 weeks after potting. Each of the 10-12and more strong flower stems carries 12-15 and more single violet-shapedflowers with slightly wavy petal tips. Medium green, oval toheart-shaped leaves surround the flower bouquet. The flowers arelong-lasting and non-dropping and the seed capsules push slightlythrough.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of African violet plant named`Monet`, as described and illustrated, and particularly characterized byits single violet-shaped, multi-colored flowers with unique markings oflarge white centers contrasting with the purplish blue petals; strong,upright flower stems that curve slightly toward the center to form acompact bouquet above the leaves; medium green, oval to heart-shapedleaves; profuse flowering; vigorous and compact growth habit; flowering9-10 weeks after potting, and by its long lasting and non-droppingflowers.